Baggage carrier



Aug. 18, 1931. f e; H. wHEARY 1,819,274

` BAGGAGE CARRIER Filed Feb. 28, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 18, 1931. G. H. wHEARY BAGGAGE CARRIER Filed Feb. 2a, 1921 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 BAGGAGE CARRIER Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PAT ENT ori-"ICE ,GEORG-E HENRY WHERY, OF RACINE, vWISCONSIN, .ASSIGN'OR T04 WHEARY TRUNK Y COMPANY, OF RACINE,y WISCONSIN, .A CORPORATION F WISCONSIN :BAGGAGE CARRIER Application filed February 28,4 1927. Serial No. 171,595. Y

vThis invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in baggage carriers rand is a division, as to all common subject matter of my patent No.11,787,76,7. j j

rIhe average wardrobe trunk has considerable wasted space in the garment section resulting from theV different lengths of garments, as for example, overcoats or other long garments hang into the section a con- 10,x siderable distance, but a majority of garments extend but about half way into the wardrobe section. Consequently, the top of the wardrobe section is filled and the bottom is but partly filled, and this invention has as an object the provision of an improved Wardrobe trunk which will utilize this heretofore wasted space to thusincrease the capacity of the trunk. v

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a wardrobe trunk having -two containers of different depths secured in the front of thevwardrobe section, one above the other for `carrying various articles, the lowermost container being of a depth to fill the heretofore wasted space and providing a receptacle for hats, shoes and other bulky articles and the upper container filling the space in front of the upper portion of the wardrobe section and providing a receptacle for smaller articles, such Vas night clothes, underwear, handkerchiefs and the like.

A further object ofthis invention resides inthe provision of an improved baggage y partly in elevation, and taken vertically carrier of the character described having a hinged closure with its bottom disposed on a higher plane than the bottom of the carrier proper and from the front of the wardrobe section of which an extension member projects to form `a substantial continuation of the closure when closed, the space within the extension being lled by a removable container projecting into v the wardrobe section to utilize the space hereto- I fore wasted under the. shorter garments hanging therein.

vAnd a still further objectV of this inven-` tion resides in theprovision of anv improved baggage carrier of the character described A 1n which a relatively narrower container' is 'section and partly in elevation, taken 100 'physical embodiment of my invention condisposed above the deeper container to lill the space within the upperportion of the wardrobe section whereby all the space within the container is utilized.

And a still further object of this invention resides in the provision of an improved baggage carrier of the character described having a plurality of removable containers either one or both of which may be dispensed with to utilize the carrier las an all garment trunk` whereby j a general utility trunlris produced.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangementv of parts substantially'as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as'come within the scope of theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated one complete example of the structed according to the best mode I have n so devised for the practical application of the principlesy thereof, and in whichr` Figure l isV a perspective view of a baggage carrier embodying my invention and illustrating thehinged top and closure in thereof; y v j Figure 2 is a view, partly in section and *open positionto permit access to the interior through the carrier and illustrating the dis-1 position of the removable containers whereby all the space is utilized; V

Figure 3 is a detailed view, partly in section and partly in elevation, illustrating the collapsible leg structure yfor supporting theY 'closure outer end, said view being taken throughI Figure on theplane of the line through the bottom of the carrier on the plane of the line 5-5 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view through a baggage carrier having a solid or one-piece hinged top.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, 5 designates the main or ward-A robe section of a baggage carrier having a rear panel 6, side panels 7 and a bottom 8, the top of the section, in the present instance, being closed by a hinged lid or cover 9. The cover is preferably lined with a cushion or pad 1() which cooperates with a plurality of garment hangers 11 supported upon a trolley structure 12 consisting of two members mounted along the upper marginal edges of the side panels 7 and having extensions 13 adapted to be swung outwardly to form continuations of the trolley proper in the conventional manner. The open front of the wardrobe section is normally closed by a closure 14 hinged to one panel 7 along its forward marginal edge for movement on a vertical axis and the top thereof, in vthe embodiment illustrated Y in Figures 1 and 2, forms a continuation of the top 9 when down, a valance'15 being carried by the closure for engagement over Vthe marginal edge of the top 9 to secure it in place. In the form of trunk illustrated in Figure 6, the top 9 extends across the full width ofthe trunk and the closure 14 is open at its upper end as illustrated.

The closure 14 has its bottom disposed on a higher plane than the bottom of the wardrobe section and the space beneath the closure is filled by an extension 16. The extension is rigid with the wardrobe section and includes side walls or panels 17, which are substantially continuations of the lower portions of the panels 7, and a front panel 18 connecting the forward ends of the panels 17, the wardrobe section bottom likewise forming the bottom of the extension member. A valance 19 extends from the lower marginal edge of closure 14 and overlies the upper marginal edges of the extension so that thel eect and appearance of the carrier when closed is that of the conventional trunk. The vertical marginal edges of the closure are also provided with Valances 20 engaging over the vertical marginal edges of the panels 7.

In the carrier illustrated, the section 5 is substantially the all garment type as the trolleys 7 extend beyond the side panels into the closure 14 and containers or receptacles 21 and 22 for smaller articles are adapted to be mounted in the wardrobe section outwardly of the garments therein to lill the space within the closure, the container21 being disposed within the space or well formed by the extension member 16 and the container 22 being disposed thereabove with its outer face in line with that of the container 21.

The container 21 Iis of greater depth than container 22, as frequently in wardrobe trunks but a few garments extend down to a point near the carrier bottom thereof thus wasting a large space, and container 21 extends into the section a distance to utilize this space. At the same time, the height of the container 22 is such as not to inter- 75 fere with the normal short garments so that the garment capacity of the trunk is in no wise reduced. The proportions of the container 21 may be such as to permit its use with hats or other articles and the container is secured in place by an angle member 23 secured to its rear wall and having horizontal retaining lugs 24 on an even plane with the bottom of the containerf and engagea-ble with a keeper 25 fixed to the section bottom 8 a distance spaced from the front panel 18 ofthe extension member so that the receptacle front wall engages4 a resilient bumper or stop 26 secured to the( panel 18. If desired, more than one member 23, keeper v25 and stop 26 may be em- 'ployed The container 22, as stated above, is ofless depth than the container 21 and has" its front in alignment with that of the container 21 so that the two cont-ainers substantially fill the spaceV within the closure 14 and the extension 16 when the carrier,F

is closed. The container 22 is removably supported in the section 5 by upper and lower pairs of trunnions 27 and 28 engageable within recesses 29 and 30 in side angle ion iron members 31 extended along the forward.v

marginal edges of the panels 7, the con-H tainer 22 being held against upward movement and consequent accidental detachment when the carrier is open by a cleat 32 carried by the closure and engageable overf the top thereof. while the accidental detachment of the container 21 is very improbable, the container 22 precludes all probability thereof by reason of its being 'positioned thereabove.

As stated, the container 21, by reason of its proportions, is adapted for use as a hat box, although it may be fitted to receive any article of clothing or other material, and the container 22 may be partitioned, if de?.

sired, for receiving articles of clothing, such I as underwear, hose, and the like. Each container has a handle 33 to facilitate its being carried from the carrier and a re- It will be evident thatVi movable lclosure 34 provided with suitable locks or catches 35. As will be clearly seen from Figure 2, a two-depth wardrobe section is provided, the rear portion extending for the full height of the trunk and the forward portion, above the container 21 and'in the rear of the container 22, being of reduced depth to accommodate smaller garments requiring less height and if desired either or both of the containers 21 and 22 may be removed and the trunk used as an all garment trunk.

Further, if desired, suitable straps or tying means 86 may be provided in the space in the rear of the container 21 for tying shoes and other articles therein.

While the closure 14 is of comparatively light construction, the walls or panels 7 beng unconnected at their upper forward ends, causes a certain degree of strain being placed on the wall to which the closure is hinged when the same is open and to release this strain the collapsible leg structure illustrated in Figure 3 is provided.

The leg structure consists of a support 37, the lower end of which is provided with a floor engaging part 38 and the upper portion of which is vertically slidable in guides 39 fixed to the outer side panel 40 of the closure, means being connected with its upper end 41 to move it to and from a position extended below the closure bottom. An operating lever 42, having its outer end 43 curved and provided with a lug or stop 44, has its inner end pivoted at 45 to a plate 46 fixed to the closure panel 40 and the lower end of a link 47 is pivoted to the lower end of the leg at 48 and the upper end thereof is pivoted to the lever 42 at an intermediate position, as at 49. When the lever 42 is in its lowermost position with its lug 44 abutting the link 47, the le@ is extended to its full line position 43 and the pivot 49 is to one side of a marginal line connecting the center of the pivots 48 and 49 so that the leg 37 is held extended. When it is desired to collapse the leg, lever 42 is swung to its dotted line position illustrated in Figure 3 and there held by a notch or recess 50 struck therefrom snapping over the rounded head of the pivot 45, as illustrated in Figure 4.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention of the character described appertains that I provide a novel and improved baggage carrier which will increase the carrying capacity of the trunk, and which will utilize all possible space without sacrificing any of the conveniences.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A baggage carrier, comprising a section, a closure for the section, a plurality of article carrying containers, means removably securing the containers in the carrier one upon the other with their outer faces substantially in vertical alignment and proj ected beyond the section to substantially fill the space within the closure when closed, wardrobe supporting means within the section for supporting garments therein rearsure when closed, wardrobe supporting means within the section for supporting garments therein rearwardly of the containers, the lowermost of the containers extending into the section to a greater depth than the other, cooperating means between the closure and the uppermost container to prevent the accidental dislodgement of the upper- Inost container from its securing means, and the upper container preventing the accidental dislodgement of the lower container.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature.

GEORGE HENRY WHEARY. 

